The coast of Spain, the eighties. My friend Larry Elam and I decided one day to do a concert in the popes chamber in the 12th century castle, surrounded by Peniscola Espana. Pope Lunas Castle, jutting out into the mediterranian and looming high above the adjoining white sand beaches. The place Julio Iglesias was born. Puerto Azul, Catalonia, Espana. Larry was the first horn for the Hamburg opera company. An American, my mentor and deep friend. His summer place was around the bay where the fishing fleet came each day. Also in the condos were a famous spainish guitarist who ran the Guitar conservitario, Universidad de Madrid, the head of the Piano dept was also there. We decided to promote a local concert. Tartini on horn accompanied with piano and Eughenios Guitar, John Dolan. About ten young kids sat on the back of his station wagon and we passed one sheets out in all the small villages. They came in droves, marching up the winding cobbelstone streets to the top where the castle was. They had never had a cultural event like this. It was a sellout! We added more performances to accommodate. We took all the money and had a huge party fo everyone, in one of those hill perched spa places. Popping off champagne with the edge of a knife, playing music and eating the fine regional cuisine. The next night, sitting on the balcony of Larrys place, we peered out at a long stream of lights, an illuminated snake winding along the cliffs of the mediteranean. They arrived in full regalia. Mothers and daughters in full flaminco attire and the musicians. They came to dance and play and we sat on the soccer firld adjoining larrys place and played until Dawn. After that, everywhere we went, no one wanted money. It was a love thing, across borders, lanuage and political, religious belief. Larry carried a conch shell with him like the pied piper and when we entered a resteraunt he blew it and the paths parted and the feast began. When we had indulged a bit to much and wondering around he would sing, Un Poquito Borracho………….so Larry! RIP, another one for you!
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 18:20:09 +0000
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